Movie Review: Dark (2015)
Well here I am again,
out of retirement (again) but the opportunity to watch and review a
film sent to me by the production company is always a no-brainer.
Let me begin by saying
this film is not classically HORROR but it's subject matter and the
means of delivery firmly set it in the psychological thriller
category so it's all good.
DARK tells the story of
a young former model (Kate) who is struggling with major personal
issues. Left alone for the weekend after her girlfriend goes away,
her internal hell rears it's ugly face in every possible way. Oh, and
to top it all off, it all unfurls during the 2003 New York Black-out
(I checked, it was a real thing!)
Her descent into
madness is beautifully captured as we follow Kate on a journey that
takes her from random bars drinking with strangers to being a
self-imposed prisoner in her own home.
When I say follow, I
really do mean follow! I counted very few seconds of screen time
without Kate being prominent. This aspect is far from being a bad
thing, Whitney Able's portrayal of Kate is a shining beacon worthy of
so much praise for it's infinite beauty!
Whitney Able is
supported on her ride by Alexandra Breckenridge who plays her absent
girlfriend Leah along with Brendan Sexton, her neighbour and Michael
Eklund as Benny, a welcome distraction for Kate on this night of
madness! In addition and one of those bizarre coincidences in life,
Redman has a very small cameo as a doorman and familiar face for
Kate.
So, what about the coincidence you ask? I received the DVD copy
of this film just 2 days after seeing Redman in concert with Method
Man, Not much I know but when you live in the UK and see a duo like
that in concert the same week you're sent a film which features one
of the act, it's fairly weird. On a side note, Redman was fantastic
as was Method Man, The former even selling his material from the
stage and good enough to sit around after the gig signing everyone's
gear! Good guy!
Anyway, back to the
film. Dark is a consistent slow burner but it creates the kind of tension
that will keep you gripped throughout. The slow pace continues BUT to
great effect as you, as the viewer are taken through all emotions
possible in this artistically voyeuristic tale!
Elias who provided
the screenplay here previously gave us the film GUT which had the same artistic stamp. Directed by Nick Basile (who also has
connections to GUT) delivers a great film here and hopefully it and him will
get the recognition they rightly deserve.
Dark serves as a piece
of artwork which needs to be appreciated! 90 minutes of edge of your
seat tension which really gets under your skin and keeps you guessing
all the way through. It succeeds greatly and it's fantastic
conclusion will make you think long after the credits have rolled!
I would highly
recommend this film and while I believe it's going to be doing the
festival rounds, I do hope for a wider release soon.
My Rating: 8
My Rating: 8
